Arsenal are currently in advanced discussions with German side Bayer Leverkusen about the possible acquisition of England international defender Jarell Quansah. Manager Mikel Arteta has expressed a clear desire to broaden his defensive options, and he views Quansah as a highly suitable addition because of the young defender's ability to operate both as a centre‑back and as a right‑back.
Quansah, who has just returned to Leverkusen after an extended break following his debut at the World Cup – where he earned three caps for England – is now back in training and match preparation. His first season in the Bundesliga saw him make 44 appearances, a solid tally after he chose to leave his boyhood club Liverpool last summer in search of regular first‑team football. Arsenal would likely need to meet a valuation well above the £30 million that Leverkusen paid for Quansah in July of last year, given that he still has four years left on his contract.
Sky Sports Germany reports that the German club does not currently see Quansah as a player they are willing to sell. Adding another layer of complexity, Liverpool have inserted a buy‑back clause into Quansah’s contract with Leverkusen, reportedly worth around £59.8 million (€70 million). While Arsenal are also keeping tabs on Aston Villa’s centre‑back Ezri Konsa – another England‑capped defender who can play at right‑back – there appears to be a substantial gap between the two clubs on price. Villa are said to be asking roughly £60 million for the 28‑year‑old, who still has two years remaining on his deal, whereas Arsenal have not indicated a willingness to meet that figure.
Konsa missed Villa’s recent UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint‑Germain because he is still on his post‑World Cup holiday. Sam Blitz of Sky Sports points out that Arsenal’s defensive depth is being tested. With William Saliba currently sidelined by injury, the Gunners need reliable cover at centre‑back. The right‑back spot is also a concern: Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a persistent groin problem that has limited his involvement since March, and Ben White’s injury record has been inconsistent.
In the Champions League final, Cristian Mosquera was forced to start at right‑back – a position he is not accustomed to – and even conceded a penalty in Budapest. In this context, Quansah’s versatility becomes especially attractive. At 23, he offers a long‑term solution for both defensive positions, potentially representing better value than the older Konsa. Although primarily a centre‑back, Quansah was deployed on the right side of a back three for Leverkusen last season.
This flexibility convinced Thomas Tuchel to select him as one of England’s right‑back options for the summer, even ahead of established Premier League players such as Trent Alexander‑Arnold. Analyzing his passing maps from his time in the Bundesliga shows that Quansah often occupied the traditional right‑back zone, which means that once Saliba regains full fitness to partner Gabriel Martinelli in central defence, Quansah could still compete for a place in the right‑back role. However, the full‑back responsibilities at Arsenal differ from those in Germany. Both Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are frequently asked to invert inside the midfield, sometimes operating almost as auxiliary centre‑forwards.
In contrast, Arteta has previously demonstrated that he can accommodate more conventional defensive full‑backs, as seen with former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapié, who was used effectively in a more traditional defensive capacity. If Arsenal succeed in securing Quansah, the club would not only add a player capable of filling multiple defensive slots, but also a young talent with international experience and a proven record of adapting to different tactical systems. This could prove vital as the Gunners navigate a congested fixture list that includes the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 16, Premier League clashes with Coventry (August 21), Aston Villa (August 31), Chelsea (September 6), Sunderland (September 12), and Brighton (September 19).
In summary, Arsenal’s pursuit of Jarell Quansah reflects a strategic move to reinforce a defence that has been stretched by injuries and positional demands. While Bayer Leverkofen’s asking price and Liverpool’s buy‑back clause present financial hurdles, the potential payoff – a versatile, England‑capped defender who can comfortably slot into both centre‑back and right‑back roles – could be well worth the investment for Arteta’s side as they aim to compete on multiple fronts this season.